Faites de beaux rêves, my dear Julia

by Pim under Uncategorized with 10 Comments

Monday, August 23, 2004

beauxrevesI’m in a melancholy mood today. I was on the computer tonight, reading an email that Dan had forwarded to me, an article on the NY Times about Julia Child. The TV had been left on after watching the BBC nightly news, suddenly a hoarse, high-pitched voice came booming out of it.

“Toda-ay we are going to poach a chicken in wine and aromatic vegetable.”

It was unmistakably Julia, I was drawn to the TV. She was there, in a bright purple shirt with her ever present apron and a tea towel tucked into her waist band, towering over her dear friend Jacques Pepin, beaming admiringly at him hacking away at a hapless chicken.

And I burst into tears.

I’ve been far too busy with my life, I was sad when I heard she had passed away, but not too much, as I knew she’d had a full and wonderful life–one which any of us would be lucky to live. I have not taken the time to mourn her properly.

Tonight, here I am, at home alone, eating a simple meal of cheese, saucisson sec and bread, crying salty tears for my friend, my teacher, my inspiration.

Bon voyage Julia. Faites de beaux rêves.

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  • Ron

    Well said. Julia was great. She will be missed, but as you said …. She had one heck of a great life !

  • Christiane Hananover

    I’ve been reading this blog for a few weeks now and I must say I was rather disapointed to read the “I hate Texas” comment in the travel thread.In your own words, “Sorry, I guess I did sound a bit like a bigot. I really am not one, a snob, yes, but surely not a bigot. ”
    Snob: one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors
    one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior , one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste
    Pim, we have very similar politics and a similar love of food. I assumed we shared a love and respect for people. Being as snob isn’t something to be proud of. I’ve been to some of the poorest areas in the world in which the many people are uneducated and the culture and standard of living are different but all people regardless of education,culture etc are to always be treated with respect, not condescension.
    I once witnessed a German tourist disrespect the people of an entire villiage in france for being ignorant uncultured farmers. The snobs i’ve had the displeasure of knowing usually come to their senses by experiencing the wrath of a bigger snob. Being put on ones place is a humbling experience , even for a snob.

  • http://chezpim.typepad.com Pim

    wow.
    Thank you for the lecture. humbling indeed.
    Have you ever heard of a joke, or has your “German snob” friend sucked it all out of you?
    In case you haven’t noticed, this is MY blog, I blog in all sorts of mood, mean, cranky, snobbish, or otherwise. What kind of a person I am comes through loud and clear enough here, I don’t need to explain myself to anyone.
    I am not perfect, never claimed to be, but I am sorry to tell you that only my mother gets to be disappointed by me. I don’t know you from a hole in the wall.
    Would you take your goodie two shoes, the both of them, and go preach somewhere else? This is MY sandbox.
    heh!
    Pim–in a very snarky mood.

  • miss j

    Blimey – I wonder what kind of response people send out to statements that really are offensive?

  • http://chezpim.typepad.com Pim

    Juls, I was wondering that too. Some people have no sense of humor apparently.

  • charlene

    Pim is as generous, kind and high-spirited a person you will ever meet. The fact that she makes public her reviews, recipes and opinions is something I am very grateful for. If she wants to have a rant about a crappy evening she has had then that is fine with me, this is her blog and her space. I thought that’s what blogs were for.

  • Josh

    You know, I just discovered this site about an hour ago, in pursuit of the best food blogs I could find for a foody friend (and hardcore nyc restaurant goer/cook) who isn’t that familiar with sites like this. I can tell he will thoroughly enjoy your blog. And, young lady, I like your attitude!
    PS. I’m no expert but chezpim, noodlepad, egullet, chowhound, thefoodsection
    cheers

  • http://livingsmall.typepad.com Charlotte

    My goodness — here I was all prepared to say how Julia would probably have really enjoyed that gorgeous Humboldt Fog in the photo, how Julia would have understood a simple dinner of cheese and sausage and bread and wine when one is feeling blue about losing someone (a situation we can only assume at 92 that she was familiar with) — when I log into the comments only to find that Our Pim has been attacked! At such a tender moment no less! Go Away Mean People! Let Pim eat her cheese and bread and sausage in peace — and to mourn our Julia … who we all agree had a life we could only wish to have, and nonetheless, we are sad that she has gone. As Julie Powell said … there’s a Six Foot Two hole in our souls …

  • http://livingsmall.typepad.com Charlotte

    My goodness — here I was all prepared to say how Julia would probably have really enjoyed that gorgeous Humboldt Fog in the photo, how Julia would have understood a simple dinner of cheese and sausage and bread and wine when one is feeling blue about losing someone (a situation we can only assume at 92 that she was familiar with) — when I log into the comments only to find that Our Pim has been attacked! At such a tender moment no less! Go Away Mean People! Let Pim eat her cheese and bread and sausage in peace — and to mourn our Julia … who we all agree had a life we could only wish to have, and nonetheless, we are sad that she has gone. As Julie Powell said … there’s a Six Foot Two hole in our souls …

  • http://chezpim.typepad.com Pim

    My friends are the best, online and off.
    xx
    Pim